Switch mechanism for model railroads



1952 H. a. PEABODY SWITCH MECHANISM FOR MODEL RAILROADS Filed Dec. 21, 1951 NVENTORJ eaaa ATTQRNEYS.

Patented Oct. 21, 1 952 SWITCH MECHANISM FOR MODEL RAILROADS Howard B. Peabody, Lake Forest, 11]., assignor to The Pioneer Company,'Chicago, 111., a partnership Application December 21, 1951. Serial No. 262,853

3 Claims. (01. 246-4236) This invention relates to a switch mechanism for model railroads and it relates more particularly to a switch mechanism of the type described which is adjustable for use in track systems for switchin the railroad over various sections of track which may require movement of the switch tracks over various magnitudes to effect the desirable switching operations.

In the construction of model railroads, it has been found that use is made very often by various manufacturers of track'having different gauge or track in which the thickness of the rail or the construction of the connecting rails for branch lines are of different contour or shape so that the amount of travel desired of the switch tracks between positions for connection or disconnection between lines may vary. If flexibility in the extent of movement of the switching tracks is not possible to compensate for these differences when actuated by a member capable of constant magnitudes in movement between operated and return positions, it is highly likely that either the desired connecting relation for smooth switching, of the train from one track to the other will not be accomplished or else excessive movement will be supplied to the extent that the entire track section will be caused to shift beyond its desired position and disturb smooth and desirable operation of the railroad. Under such circumstances, there is ever present the constant danger of track separation with possible damage to railroad equipment and near-by objects and irritation with the undesirable operation of the railroad.

It is an object of this invention to produce a switch mechanism for model railroads which may be easily and quickly adjusted to impart the desired magnitude of movement for switching the switch track into positions of use notwithstanding the constant magnitude of movement of its actuating means. i g

Another object isto produce a switch mechanism, of the type described'which provides for smooth and safe'operation of the railroad and which provides for switching operations free'of impact or other movements which might disturb the alignment of tracks in the railroad system.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a switching mechanism capable of converting movement of constant magnitude from the actuating means to variable movement of a magnitude desired for effecting thedesired switching operations.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter appear and for pur- 2 poses of illustration, but not of limitation, an embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a switch section of the track system which embodies features of this invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a section of railroad track shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is asectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the elements shown in Figure 4 in their separate relation;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view showing a modification in the connecting link shown in Figure 4; 1

Figure '7 is atop plan view of the switch ele- I ment shown in Figure 6, and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of separate parts which make up the switch elements shown in Figuresfi and 7.

Referring now to the drawing, It! indicates the main track over which the railroad operates and I I the switch track which may be shifted into operative engagement with the main track to cause the railroad to operate over a branch line It. Track [0 comprises laterally spaced rails I3 and I4 anchored by suitable means onto spaced cross ties 15 mounted on a road bed It which may be in the form of aboard, wooden panel or the like.

Branch track I2 is similarly constructed of spaced rails H and I8 mounted upon ties IS in the same spaced relation as the rails of the main track to permit operation of the train thereover.

The switching tracks H comprise a section having a pair of rails 26 and 2! in spaced relation slightly less throughout than the normal spacing between the rails of the main track or trunk track. At their rearward ends, the rails 20 and 2! are coupled to the inner rails I4 and "of the main track and the trunk track respectively by means of guard plates 22 which maintain the tracks in end to end relation while permitting limited relative swinging movement for switching operations. At their forward ends I 23 and 24, the rails of the switching tracks taper off to a relatively sharp edge and are mounted upon ties 25 for lateral shifting movement of one or the other tapered ends of track 23 or into connecting relation with the inner wall of one ofthe main rails while the other is in spaced relation with respect thereto. By this means, the wheelsor the on-cdming train are guided onto one or the other of the track systems as they pass over the switchin tracks.

Lateral shifting movement of the switch tie rods in one direction or the other is effected by means of a cross arm upon actuation by means of a double acting solenoid 3| of the type described and claimed in my Patent No. 2,473,661, which issued on June 21, 1949. The core, which is adapted for shifting movement of constant magnitude between two positions of adjustment within the solenoid responsive to electrical energization and de-energization, is operatively connected to the cross arm 30 through a new and improved flexible coupling which includes a cylindrical section 32 formed.

of a coiled end portion of spring wire which is threadably secured onto a threaded endportion of the reciprocal core as described in the issued patent. The other end portion of the wire 33 connects onto a post 34" offset from a pivot 35 upon which a horizontally disposed crank plate 36is mounted for rocking movement of constant magnitude between operated and return positions of adjustment responsive to movement of the solenoid.

The crank plate is constantly urgedfor move ment in the clockwise direction about its pivot 35 toward return position by means of a coil spring 31 secured at one end to an offset portion 38-of the crank plate .36 while the other end is secured onto the stationary housing '39 for the solenoid.

Reciprocal movement is transmitted from the crank plate to the cross arm 30 by means of a connecting link assembly 40 adjustable to form a lost-motion device to transmit movement of constant magnitude from the solenoid and crank plate to movement of adjustable magnitude to the cross arm in order to compensate for small differences in travel which might be desired for purposes which have heretofore been described. The connecting link assembly comprises a .pair of elongate strips 4| and 42 of sheet metal-or other rigid material having slots 43 and 44 respectively extending substantially throughout,

and-preferably from one'end-to almost the other and adapted to be connected together in overlappin relation by means of a nut 45-and a bolt 45 or other suitable fastening means to provide a slotted portion 41 in one end through which a pin 48 depending from an offset portionof the crank plate 36 extends in operative engagement. The free end portion 49 of the links connected in overlapping relation is adapted .to be secured onto the end of the cross arm 30 by a bolt and nut assembly 50 or other suitable fastening means. It will be evident from this description that by loosening the connecting relation formed by the bolt and nut assembly 45 and 46, relative movement will be permitted between the link members to adjust the length of the slotted portion 41 thereby to regulate the magnitude of shifting movement imparted to the link .and cross arm responsive to operative engagementof the pin-upon actuation through the cross arm 36. By means of such-adjustment in the length of the slot 4T,'the magnitud of shifting movement of the cross arm 30 may be adjusted notwithstanding the constant magnitude of movement by its actuating means.

Instead of forming the overlapping strip members 4| and 42 of straight sectionspasillustrated in-Figures .1-5,'the strips may be provided with an offset portion 5| and 52 intermediate their ends toproyide anendportion 53 connecting with the cross arm 30 at one level while the slotted portion 54 operatively engaged by the pin 48 is at a higher level for preferred engagement therewith.

In operation, as the crank plate 36 in Figures 1 and 2 is rocked in the clockwise direction responsive to control by the solenoid and assisted by the coil spring 31, the pin 48 depending from the plate 36 shifts in a direction to the left in slot 4'! until operative engagement is established with the link member to cause the link assembly to shift until the crank plate is rocked to the operative position of adjustment. At this point, rail section, 23 is adapted to be shifted by the cross arm 30 into engagement with the inner wall of rail I3 to cause the oncoming train to switch onto the trunk line.

In the event that the switch rail shifts too far and bumps the main track which might disrupt the assembled relation, the means securing the cross arm to the link assembly may be loosened to permit adjustment to effect a greater overlapping relation therebetween and, in the event that the switch rail does not meet the outer rail, the cross arm and the link may be adjusted to be farther apart.

As the crank arm 38 is rocked in the opposite direction to its operated position of adjustment responsive to actuation by the solenoid,'the pin 48shifts to the right in the slot '41 to cause the link assembly to shift in the direction to the left and bring the switch rail 24 into abutting relation with the inner wall of rail [4 whereby the oncoming train stays on the main track system.

In the event that the movement imparted to the switching rail is insufficient to bring it to the desired abutting relation, then it is necessary to decrease the amount of lost motion introduce'd'by the link assembly. For this purpose, the boltand nut assembly 45 and 46is loosened to permit the links to be adjusted in a direction to decrease the length of slot 41 in which the pin 48 is operative. This increases the amount of relative clockwise movement imparted to the cross arm upon rocking movement of the crank plate from one position to the other. In the event that the shiftin movement of the cross arm is too great, then the amount of lost motion can be increased by adjustment of the units to increase the length of slot 41. It will'be apparent from this description that I have provided a simple and expedient coupling member for imparting controlled reciprocal shifting movement of adjustable magnitude to a switching member responsive to actuation by means which provides for movement of constant magnitude under all circumstances. By this use ofsuch fiexible and adjustable means for modifying movement of the switchingmechanism, it is possible to simplify and expediently to 'compensate for differences required for different makes o'ftrack and rail designs and to achieve ideal switching for smooth and safe operation of a model railroad system.

It will be understood that changes may "be made in the details of construction,arrangement and operation without departing from the spirit of the invention, especially as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

.1. In a switching mechanism for model railroads having an actuating member of constant stroke between operated and return, positions of adjustment-anda cross arm. member adapted to be actuated thereby for movement of variable magnitude to shift the switch tracks into position of use comprising a crank plate pivotally mounted and connected directly to said actuating means for movement between operated and return positions of adjustment, a pin depending from said plate offset from its pivot, and a link assembly comprising a pair of elongate strips of substantially rigid material having slots extending substantially completely therethrough, means adjustably securing the strips in overlapping relation to provide a slotted portion of adjustable length through which the pin extends to impart reciprocable movement to the link assembly varying in magnitude depending upon the length of the slot, and means for securing the link assembly to the cross arm for transmitting movement from said pin to the switch tracks.

2. In a switching mechanism for model railroads having an actuating member of constant stroke for movement between operated and return positions of adjustment and a cross arm member adapted to be actuated thereby for movement of variable magnitude to shift the switch tracks into position of use, a crank plate pivotally mounted and connected directly to said actuating means for movement between operated and return positions of adjustment, a pin depending from said plate in ofifset relation from its pivotal mounting, a link assembly comprising a pair of metal strips having slots extending from one end almost to the other, means for securing the strips in overlapping relation with the other end of one displaced inwardly from the other end of the other to provide a slot therebetween operatively engaged by the pin, said securing means permitting relative movement between strips upon loosening for adjusting the length of the slot depending upon the magnitude of movement desired for the cross arm, and means for securing the link assembly to the cross arm for transmitting movement of constant magnitude from said actuating means to movement of adjustable mag nitude to said cross tie.

3. In a switching mechanism for model rail== roads having an actuating means of constant stroke between operated and return positions of adjustment and a cross arm member adapted to be actuated thereby for movement of variable magnitude to shift the switch tracks into position of use, an assembly connecting the actuating means to the cross arm for transmitting movement of constant magnitude from the actuating means to movement of variable magnitude to the cross arm and including a pair of elongate strips of substantially rigid material having slotted portions therein adapted to define a confining slot therebetween when connected in overlapping relation, means for securing the strips in overlapping relation to provide a slotted portion therebetween adapted operatively to be connected with said actuating means to impart reciprocal movement to the links of varying magnitude depending upon the length of the slot, and means for securing the link assembly to the cross arm for transmitting movement from said actuating means to the switch tracks.

HOWARD l3. PEABODY.

No references cited. 

